PEAK TRAM

As the crow flies, the Peak Tram up to the Peak is behind and to the left of St John's Church. However, it's not easy to find. From Central tube station, head towards Hong Kong Park, cross Cheung Kong Park and turn left where it's signposted. The Peak Tram climbs Victoria Peak (554 m above sea level), a spectacular site not to be missed. Climbing Victoria Peak offers exceptional panoramic views. Before the Peak Tram was built in 1888, coolies climbed the peak on the backs of settlers anxious to stay above the malaria zone. Access was by sedan chair or steep footpath. Under British colonial rule, the Peak was reserved for English residents only. Chinese had to obtain a special permit to gain access, and English nurses were also required to show a pass signed by the British governor. Rumor has it that a Japanese billionaire lost his entire fortune after moving into one of the Peak's residences. The mountain was reserved for the colony's elite. A symbol of upward social mobility, people first lived in the Mid-levels district, then on the Peak, and finally in Repulse Bay. Today, the Peak is second only to Repulse Bay in Hong Kong in terms of rents. The very wealthy Chinese prefer to live in Repulse Bay. In fact, the mountain top doesn't protect them, as the feng shui is bad. What's more, living at the top of the Peak means being immersed in fog for much of the year. The view from the summit is breathtaking, especially at night, when Hong Kong is decked out in a thousand lights. Opposite Hong Kong Island are Kowloon and the New Territories. The panorama opens out onto Central, the harbour, Kowloon, and then, as you stroll along the path around the Peak, you spot Lamma Island and the chimneys of its power station. The many cruise ships anchored in the "fragrant bay" contribute to this urban enchantment. Near the funicular terminus, the Peak Lookout is housed in an old cottage at the foot of the new tower (see "Eating out" section). Crossing the platform, the view towards the south of Hong Kong Island takes in lush countryside, beaches and bays..

Modernized in 2022, the Peak Tram can now accommodate more passengers and, with its enlarged windows, offers a better view of the panorama. The Peak Tram's central station has also been redesigned, allowing you to discover Victoria Peak's biodiversity in an immersive experience by Go Wild at the Peak.

If you have enough time, there are several circular hiking trails around the Peak, as well as access to the Hong Kong Island hiking trail. You can walk back down to Central via Old Peak Road (next to the deck and telescope), or to Pok Fu Lam. The Peak is also the starting point for the Hong Kong Trail, which passes through all four of Hong Kong Island's parks, ending at Shek O beach.